Rest is as spiritually necessary as faith, hope and love—I am so reminded of it in this moment of American history. When I originally wrote this blog, I was distraught because I backed into my garage, left my dog outside overnight, and hung up on my husband. That was in 2013. Garage door fix. No harm came to my dog (wish she was still here), and my husband doesn’t remember me hanging up on him. It has been five years, and looking back, these are just a few extremely minor irritations compared to how uncivil we here in America are to one another. We call each other them. We call each other names. There is no them—it is we…this is us…who live in America, who came from someplace else…who struggle with relationships, circumstances, and situations so much heavier than we know how to bear.

I reread Matthew 11:28-30 today. The question: Are you tired, worn out, and burned out about what is happening in this country? Yes! Tired, worn out, and burned out with what is happening to us. And of course, Yahweh addresses my silent screams, and loudly whispers, “Walk with me, and work with me. My yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Learn the UNFORCED rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Hang out with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

My first thought, “Really?” This doesn’t make sense—if it a yoke, you carry it, and it is not easy. Also, there are some burdens that can take you out. Matthew 11:28-30 is an oxymoron to me—on some level it doesn’t make any sense, but I am also reminded that a minor crisis makes me feel clearly confuse when I don’t rest in the UNFORCED rhythms of grace. Rest in grace, and don't hide your light. This is Tuesday talk.

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Blogger Bio:

Theda Okona is a former storyteller and co-host for an internet radio broadcast. She lives to be inspired. Adjunct Professor at Miami Dade College, Writer, Speaker, Vocalist and Author of Clouds of Grace--she has a Master of Arts in Education and a Bachelor of Arts in English.